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Introduction - It's Time for a Change

Weekend Brunch Report has been one of the more popular features of this humble little blog and because of that, there really is no reason to stop doing it. But we believe there are always ways to create better and more exciting content for our readers and as a blog, we could only succeed by keeping things interesting for YOU.

It is in this spirit we've decided to make some adjustments and additions to the column, beginning this episode. Let us walk you through the changes and we're more than happy to hear from you what you think of it!

In the past, we have categorised our​ great finds in the pre-owned/ vintage watch market according by their listed prices, in 5 progressively expensive buckets, up to HKD200,000. There is nothing inherently wrong with this approach, given it was devised to show you exactly how good watches can come in every price point: a notion Lengbeau supports wholeheartedly. Nonetheless, as we got familiar with the vast universe known as watch collecting, it is clear we are missing out on a LOT of very, very cool watches that, while can cost more than HKD200,000, remain great examples through which readers could get to know a great deal about this very watch universe and some of the most important pieces of information in the business (e.g. top-notch independent watchmakers, high-end complications, unique pieces etc). While we understand it is (somewhat) unrealistic to include a HKD1,000,000 A. Lange as an actual piece of purchase recommendation, we do want to share with you watches that made our jaws drops. And we can always dream, no?

As a result, we are going to eliminate the "HKD100,000 - 150,000" and "HKD150,000 - 200,000" buckets altogether and concentrate our effort on recommending relatively accessible watches within the realm of a 5-digit price tag, represented by 3 new price buckets: less than HKD20,000, HKD20,000 - 50,000 and HKD50,000 - 100,000. On the other hand, we will include one unicorn find (yes, that question mark at the bottom right of the cover picture? That's your unicorn find. In case you're wondering) that blows us away. We're gonna go wild on this secret find and bring to you some of the most exceptional, crazily desirable watches with complete disregard to its price whatsoever. If it's worth it, we'd pick it. We feel this is going to be a heck of a journey and we're sure we could all learn so much from these unicorn finds.

So let's get right to it!

<HKD 20,000: A Very Affordable Hamilton Military Watch (from Vietnam War Era)

Ah, the military watch. Don't we all love a good mili' and better still, a super affordable one?

Featuring here is a Hamilton military watch most likely issued during the Vietnam War era to the US army and a military watch needs very little introduction (there's a case, 3 hands, and a black dial. That's pretty much it. But then why would you need anything more while you're busy dodging grenades?). Everything's original except for the crown, which is a replacement one. But does it matter if it only cost HKD2,600 (check out its listing here)? No, it doesn't.

HKD 20,000-50,000: A Crazy Handsome Heuer Monza

You know the first word that popped in my mind when I first saw the picture above? Danger.

Making it to this episode of Weekend Brunch Report is this Heuer Monza in 40mm brass case which boasts a black/grey-ish appearance thanks to its case being PVD-coated. And what makes it feel dangerous other than that black case, is the Monza's history with the adrenaline-invoking sport of motor-racing in the 1970s, being none other than a celebratory creation from Heuer for Ferrari's 1975 triumph in the Formula 1 World Championship.

There's a lot going on with the dial here and we absolutely love it. The matte black dial further enhances the badass-ness of the already very badass timepiece with all the typical chronograph features in place. The tachymeter running along the outside of the indexes is accompanied by a stretch of pulsometer scale highlighted in red. The watch hands and chronograph counters are basically an explosion of colors primarily in red, yellow (as a result of the lovely patination) and white. It's chaotic, exactly like how a racing track could be at times.

Powering the Monza is the Heuer Caliber 15, an automatic chronograph movement and in fact, a derivative of the legendary Caliber 12, with a running second register sitting slightly above 9 o'clock. We totally endorse the asymmetry created. The quirkiness doesn't stop here. The crown is on the left hand side of the watch, a rather rare arrangement that makes it all the more cool.

HKD 50,000-100,000: A Well Preserved, Special Looking Blancpain Bathyscaphe

This is not the first time we've featured a Blancpain dive watch in a Weekend Brunch Report but this Blancpain Bathyscaphe (a more refined, less tool-ish dive watch developed for diver to wear while exploring the deep sea within a submersible cabin when it's too dangerous for a diver to be exposed) is quiet, serene, borderline majestic. Why? The Dial.

This has got to be one of the best looking dial I've ever come across. It is a matte pewter dial in the most mesmerising hue of grey one could get. Sitting orderly atop the amazing dial are applied hour markers in silver with luminescent tritium dots on the outside. All of these, along with the watch hands, have been exceptionally preserved and come great together. Being a dive watch as it is, one could of course expect the presence of a rotatable bezel with minute division, and the watch does not disappoint on this front neither, rocking us with its bakelite (a material often used to construct the bezel of a dive watch before the subsequent use of metal) external bezel. Weird as it sounds, I would say this 37mm beauty can even be paired with a business suit and still look perfectly in place.

The Patek Philippe 3448, to me, is THE watch that embodies everything that Patek Philippe represents as the undisputed king in haute horlogerie: unparalleled craftsmanship and engineering prowess presented with restrained elegance.

The ref. 3448, with a size of 37mm, was the first ever automatic perpetual calendar manufactured by Patek with the Caliber 27-460Q and it is a damn. Rare. Watch. It is believed only 586 piece were ever made during 1962 to 1981, making it go like hot cake when it appears in an auction. We certainly wish Patek has created more of this pretty thing. Oh, by the way, Ringo Starr owned one. That's how good this thing is.

This particular 3448 we've found is of superb condition with a sharp case and thick lugs. In contrast to the Heuer Monza we've introduced you earlier, this watch is as symmetrical as it gets. Splitting the face of the watch from the middle are the small day of the week and month windows, a classic arrange seen in what we call a "triple calendar" watch. Echoing the two windows on the lower half of the watch face is the moonphase and date indicator.

This unicorn find is even a full-set, meaning the watch comes with its original certificate and box.

​It is being offered here. Price is not listed but according to our experience, expect to pay anywhere between HKD1.5mn-2mn to own it.